Relocation: Amy
Tails Underground
By Asher Tye
Disclaimer: If I owned it, it would have been better, but sadly Sonic Underground belongs to someone else.
Chapter 8 – The Dark Cloud, And Its Silver Lining.
The Tower of the Archmage. It was and is home to the line of the most powerful wizards and sorcerers to ever grace Mobius. In its heyday, the tower could be seen for miles around, a beacon of magical power made of stone and mortar visible to all within many miles of its home city of Shadakor. It is a place of learning, of contemplation, gazing down upon Mobius as a very literal tower of ivory without the need for dead pachyderms to become involved.
And only a few short moments ago, it became a burial chamber.
Inside the main audience chamber of the Archmage himself, the very Lord and Master of the City of Sands, deception and treachery had played to their natural conclusion as ally turned enemy Ixis Naugus did declare his defection from the fox he had served, proclaiming his past aid as nothing more than a ruse, a cruel trick to weaken the city's defenses so that he could eliminate those who were obstacles to his true prize. Even as retaliation and retribution did descend to strike the vile sorcerer, he did reveal one final act of maliciousness in the form of an exploding golem made of sand and rock that did detonate.
All throughout the city, the citizens and refugees that live and work and play within the confines of isolated Shadakor hear the explosion and turn terrified eyes upon the sight of the once pristine and perfect tower as a gaping hole has suddenly been torn out of its sides. Fear runs rampant through all, from the most steadfast guardsman to the most traumatized refugee. There can be no doubt that this is a bad omen, the worst kind, for the Archmage would never permit the building that has been the home of his family for generations to be so damaged… save if he himself had passed as well.
It is perhaps a testament to the Tower's construction and designs that, even with three whole levels suddenly missing half of their floors, ceilings and walls, the topmost part remains standing tall. This is particularly good news for those who live at the base of the ancient structure, and have only just survived being pelted by the debris generated from the explosion. Though there are some injuries and damages, these people will not have to escape the shadow of the Tower's head as it falls through the sky. Members of the city guard, recovering as best they can from the unexpected sight, rush towards the Tower's doors, intent on discovering what fate has befallen their leader, and what they must now do to protect the city.
From the hole in the Tower, where black smoke billows forth into the desert sky, a mess can clearly be seen. The Archmage's meeting room is in shambles, its floor devastated to the degree that much of its furniture and other such items have descended to the floor beneath it. Several piles of rubble, rocks and stone comprising the floors above this level, litter the area, with an eerie quiet boding ill for those that had been caught in Naugus's treacherous attack. The quiet is broken as the sound of guitar's power cord suddenly erupts and a blast of blue energy explodes, scattering one of the piles of rock to allow Sonic the Hedgehog to once more breathe unfettered air. With a single touch, the musical instrument of mystic might in his hands transformed back into a simple medallion hanging from his neck. Bruises and broken quills cover the cobalt blue hedgehog's body, a direct result the Archmage's unsuccessful attempt to protect him from the blast with magic. Wasting no time, Sonic quickly moved over to another of the piles, only to stop as the sound of a keyboard precedes several beams of pink energy moving the rocks of the rubble away. Though not as flashy as her brother's escape, Sonia's method proves far easier to bear given the weakened condition of the Tower.
"Sonia, you made it," Sonic said happily, hugging his sister, though not without pain. His recent damage, coupled by the injuries he'd received only a few days prior at the hands of one Merlin Prower, have combined to make the simple act of movement a less than pleasurable experience for the teen. The fact that the third member of the group present for Naugus's attack has yet to make his own appearance, however, prove more than incentive enough for the two hedgehogs to continue moving.
Built for finer, more precise manipulation of energy than her brother's guitar, Sonia's keyboard proves ideal to gently coax the fallen rocks away as Sonic digs by hand. Soon they find the object of their quest, the Archmage himself, fallen under the earthy onslaught summoned against him.
"Is… Is he…?" Sonia began to ask as she gazed upon the beaten and battered form of their kind and gentle host. Blood trickles from a nasty gash in the back of the fox's head, received no doubt from one of the rocks making it past whatever shield he'd attempted to erect to protect himself and his charges. Sonic, closer than his sister, tentatively kneels beside the fallen mystic. Though he has fought in a war almost since he was old enough to walk and eat chilidogs at the same time, the prospect of touching a dead body, even a fresh one, is not an appealing prospect for the high-speed youth. Gladness touches his heart, however, as he notices the elder Mobian's body rising and falling in rhythmic fashion a clear sign that he is breathing. Two fingers touch the fox's neck and, indeed, a pulse is felt.
"He's alive," Sonic states, though this marks the limits of his expertise on the subject. If the ancient vulpine is injured seriously, the blue hedgehog is fully aware his chances of doing harm over good are exponential.
"Rrrrurrr," groaned the Archmage as an arm moved slowly to push his withered body off the ground somewhat. Quick as his name would suggest, Sonic takes hold of the arm.
"It's all right, I've got you," the hedgehog said.
"Help me… Help me get to my feet," the Archmage asks as Sonia too moves in to help.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, your lordship?" the ever respectful pink hedgehog asked. "That was a big blast and you could be hurt." Even as she says this, Sonia and her brother continue to assist the wizard to his feet, allowing him to place his weight on their younger, albeit still damaged, shoulders.
"I am… not as… frail as you would think," the Archmage responded, though the wincing he did as he spoke seemed to say otherwise. Slowly the fox moved over to a particularly large fallen piece of his home, shifting his weight to the rock as he leaned against it. "Unfortunately, I am still old. Were this only a few years previous, I would have immediately known that golem's nature the moment it came into my presence. The price of aging I suppose."
"Naugus said he was going to let Robotnik into the city," Sonic reminded the elderly fox. "Any chance he was just trying to bluff ya? You know, throw you off guard so he could steal that gem you were talkin' about?" Sadly the Archmage shook his head.
"No. Even now I can feel Robotnik's malignant presence at the edge of Shadakor."
"No…" called a voice as the trio turned to catch sight of a dog of collie breed in a guard's uniform standing at what was left of the door. Realizing he had been spotted, the hound shook his head and bowed. "My Lord Archmage, I came to investigate the explosion. Though I am glad to know you have survived, I pray you tell me my ears misheard what you told these hedgehogs."
"I'm afraid they did not, Captain Reynold," the Archmage spoke. "Shadakor has finally been found and we are all in very real danger."
"But surely the barrier…"
"…is about to become a non-factor I'm afraid. Assemble the guards and prepare them well, Captain, I fear we are in for a battle."
"Sir?"
"See to the refugees and civilians. Get them to fall back to the tower, away from the walls. I am loathe to concentrate our people into a large target for that fiend, but we will better be able to defend ourselves until I can retaliate."
"At once sir." The dog dashed off as the Archmage held out a hand to summon the longer section of his broken staff to it, using the damaged relic to support his weight.
"With all due respect your Lordship," Sonia said, "I don't think it's advisable to try to defend the tower. You're outnumbered and out gunned; it would make more sense to evacuate the city."
"I understand your concern, and under different circumstances would follow your advice. Merlin's leaving has severely weakened Shadakor's defenses, and I fear trying to stand our ground would lead only to capture and imprisonment. But you overlook two things. We are in a desert, and Robotnik controls all the towns close enough for my people to take refuge in. I have no way to hide them and it would only be a matter of time measured in moments before he would swoop down and destroy us. Secondly, Naugus has delivered into Robotnik's hands my grandson, Miles. I have already lost his father to that madman; I will not allow Miles to suffer a similar fate."
"So what are you going to do?"
"The Keystone may be the answer," the Archmage replied, moving slowly with a rolling limp towards the door. "It is a fount of incalculable power. Long ago I channeled its might to move Shadakor to its current location."
"So you can use it to wipe the floor with ol' Robuttnik, eh?" Sonic asked, catching on to the wily fox's plan.
"Years have passed since I last attempted such a feat. I fear I have grown too old to simply pull the power to me," the Archmage admitted, causing both of his hedgehog guests to look crestfallen as they followed him. "But, with enough time, and luck, I might be able to. Hence why I gave orders to prepare for a fight." Suddenly the aged fox turned back to Sonia and Sonic. "I have no right to ask this of you. Doing so places not only your own lives, but the life of the planet itself in jeopardy. But for the sake of my people, and my family, I must ask a boon of the Sonic Underground. I must ask you to help us in our time of need."
"You would face insurmountable odds, and I am unsure if even the strength of the prophecy could protect you from the forces that will be arrayed against you. But if you do not help us, I fear we shall be unable to hold out until I can gain enough power to stop him and save the city." Sonia cast a glance over to her blue brother.
"You're the leader Sonic," she told him. "It's up to you what we do here." Sonic's hand rose to grip his chin as he considered the request made of himself and his siblings. Neither he nor Sonia were at their best physically, and Manic had been even worse. Though he was always willing rub Robotnik the wrong way, they had a duty to their own city to remain free long enough to find their mother and rid their kingdom of Robotnik. If they stayed, the three hedgehog royals stood a most excellent chance of losing that ability.
"A long time ago, Robotnik surrounded another city. Its defenders tried ta beat him back, but ultimately they failed and he conquered them. Citizens were rounded up and those that weren't roboticized were left wishing they had been; a whole civilization was annihilated without a second thought," Sonic stated, much to his sister's bewilderment. "We weren't able to do anything to stop Robotnik from destroying our Mobotropolis, from enslaving our people; we never got the chance. We're not going to let him do the same to Shadakor. Sonia and me'll keep the bots off your back while you go get that rock ready. And we'll try to get Tails away from him too."
"Thank you my friends," the Archmage said as he resumed his movements away from them. Sonic turned to Sonia.
"Okay sis, you ready to go run some crowd control?" he asked.
"Should we go get Manic?" Sonic shook his head at Sonia's question.
"He's too banged up and this is going to be intense. He'll be safer in his condition in the room." For a brief moment the pink hedgehog seemed ready to descent with the blue speedster, but thought better of it.
"Okay, let's go."
"Nuh… Meh," Tails groaned as he too slowly regained consciousness. The last thing he'd remembered was leaving his tower home for a walk around Shadakor to try and clear his head. He'd been depressed and hadn't been paying any sort of attention to anything. Little wonder then how whoever had hit him had been able to get the drop on him. As his vision came back into focus, the question of who had attacked him was answered, and a heavy weight fell through the fox kit's stomach as it was.
"Ah, wheeze the young 'apprentice' is awake," Naugus said with a congenial smile on his face. Tails might almost have believed he'd been rescued from whatever predicament he'd suddenly found himself in, if not for two very important observations. The first was the fact that he'd been tied up, a rope encircling his arms and waist, as well as the hook from which he now felt himself dangling. Though his legs and tails were free, the fact that there was no ground beneath him nor room to spin meant the best he could do was wiggle and swing a little in mid-air.
Despite this dire predicament, it was the second observation that was the source of the stone now currently lodged in the young sorcerer's belly. Though Tails had never seen the man in person, pictures and poster depicting his image were scattered all across Mobius, thus it was impossible for the kit not to recognize the imposing visage of Dr. Robotnik as the mecha-maniacal madman stood next to Naugus.
"Excellent," the evil doctor intoned as his red cape flapped in an errant desert breeze, his humongous body dwarfing Tails's own as he took a short step forward. "One should always be awake when one is about to become the instrument of doom for one's homeland, I always say." Metallic fingers gently stroked the kit's exposed white chest fur, making their way up to grab his muzzle and force young Tails to stare into the face of evil. "Hard to believe that something so insignificant will be my key into Shadakor."
"Let us not forget, wheeze though the boy will gain you entry, wheeze it is I who will open the door for you," Ixis Naugus said reproachfully. "Do not forget the deal you have made wheeze this day Doctor."
"Yes, yes I remember. You want that silly little stone."
"Sonic will stop you Ro-BUTT-nik, just like he always does," Tails declared defiantly. At the mention of his hated nickname, the evil human cast a long suffering face towards the heavens.
"Does every one on this infernal planet know of that insipid nickname?" he asked as Naugus began to chuckle behind him.
"I'm afraid wheeze that both Sonic and his prim and proper sister, wheeze are most likely crushed into a pink and blue paste, wheeze thanks to my exploding sand duplicate."
"You're… You're lying," Tails accused.
"He'd better be," Robotnik proclaimed. "I need the hedgehogs for bait to capture Queen Aleena. If you've destroyed them, I'll have nothing to coax the Queen into the open with."
"Relax my… 'friend.' wheeze The green one was not present. I imagine wheeze that he is still in the tower, recovering from his injuries." Once more Naugus released a derisive laugh as he glanced at the stunned Tails. "I should really be thanking you, boy. wheeze If not for you, the Sonic Underground would never have come to this city, wheeze and I would have had to find some other way to be rid of your meddlesome Unclewheeze and nauseating Grandfather."
"Perhaps I can find a position for you in my army once this is over," Robotnik said with a mocking smile. "You do seem to be quite useful." Tails bared his teeth at the doctor, but as there was little else he could do, Robotnik was supremely unimpressed.
"Doctor wheeze are your forces ready?" Naugus asked of his partner in crime. Turning away from tormenting the tiny fox, the rotund dictator gazed out into the desert at his assembled army. Dozens of armored tanks, flying hover-units, and a few of Robotnik's massive City Buster assault class robots stood stock still, awaiting the command of their lord and creator. Between them all, also standing at attention, stood legion upon legion of SWATbots, each one programmed to find and capture any Mobian found within Shadakor. Robotnik had not actively wielded such a large and expansive force since he'd conquered the city of Mobotropolis so many years ago, a memory that still made him feel giddy as he thought of it. And now he would get to make a repeat performance.
"We are ready Naugus," he stated. The evil wizard turned back towards the bound Tails, smiling wickedly as his gaze fell upon something behind the cub.
"Put him in position," the Mobian mishmash commanded.
"Right away," Sleet responded from the controls of the crane from which Tails dangled. The hum of heavy machinery was heard as Tails began to swing threw the air as he was moved towards the barrier that protected his home.
"Naugus, don't do this," Tails pleaded. "If you take down the barrier, Robotnik will destroy everything! All those people are depending on us to protect them!"
"wheeze I don't babysit anymore," Naugus responded as his claw-like hand pointed to Tails. A white light began to emanate from the claw; a glow that was matched by Tails's fur as the boy began to scream, feeling it as Naugus seized control of his magic with his own. Meaty fingers on the sorcerer's other hand then pointed to the swirling barrier of sand. "Mystic city hidden by sand and wind; open the gate and let US IN!!"
As the spell was spoken, the sandy barrier began to shimmer as shake. Even Robotnik, attuned not to any sort of energy other than his own malignant variation, could feel the energy being released as the powerful spell began to evaporate. The ground began to shake as millions of tons of sands stopped moving over it and fell, the barrier falling to pieces under Naugus's command. Behind it, the wall of Shadakor stood, and beyond that the damaged Tower of the Archmage was laid bare to the view of the conqueror. Raising one of his robotic arms, Robotnik pointed a finger at the massive main gate of the city, a stone edifice that had stood in place protecting its citizenry for years without count.
"Destroy it all," he said quietly, and the SWATbots began to move.
& & & & &
"All right everyone, grab what you can and move towards the Tower in a calm and orderly fashion," Captain Reynolds said as his guards worked to round up the citizens and get them moving. Some were less willing to leave without their possessions than others; an interesting fact considering all had already had experience escaping an impending invasion force. "Help those who can't move on their own first." The dog had no way of knowing how much time they'd have before whatever threat the Archmage knew of came for them, but like anyone who's life was regimented for the military, he tried to be as efficient as possible.
(Author's Subnote: While I am not a songwriter, I do have a partiality for theatrics, so it is at this point I advise you to listen to a special song as you read the following parts entitled "Instruments of Destruction" by Spectre General. For those of you not in the know, this song was one featured in the original animated Transformers Movie, and I think it fits well as the background music here. I'll leave another note to tell you when the song should be ended, don't worry.)
Suddenly, the evacuation of the tent city was interrupted by a loud explosion as, to Reynold's distinct horror; the stone gate to the city was blown to pieces. Like a plague of locusts, robotic monsters swarmed into the city, guns blazing as they worked to sow as much chaos amongst the already frightened populace as possible. The guardsmen reacted in proud form, trying to move between the refugees and the attacking robots, but it was clearly a losing battle. Weakened by its long isolation, Shadakor's defenses were quickly proving no match for Robotnik's assault. Without the magical power of its sorcerous denizens, the city's guards were just no match as they were literally steamrolled over.
From on top of his Sand Crawler, Robotnik watched the scene unfold with all the interest a normal person would give to a sporting event, albeit a more or less one-sided one. The SWATbots and other assorted machines swarmed the city, blasting Mobians and stunning them while other machines came and collected the hapless creatures. A few tried to fight back, a laughable attempt that always ended with victory for the machine army. Great joy filled the evil doctor's heart as he thought about the portable roboticizers he'd brought with him and the terrified screams of his captives as they realized their fates. Flanking him on vehicle's deck was Sleet and Dingo, his only two organic minions, as well as Ixis Naugus.
"Gentleman," Robotnik said to the two mercenaries, "I believe I hired you to retrieve Aleena's brats for me."
"Well, yes sir," Sleet began. "But with all that fighting going on, we might accidentally… you know."
"And this is my problem how?" Robotnik asked dryly, an easy feat considering his location. "According to Naugus, most of the members of the Sonic Underground are either dead or injured, now is the perfect time to overpower them, before they make their escape into the desert. So unless you want to be chasing after them on FOOT, I suggest the two of you grab a vehicle and go FIND THEM!!"
"Yes sir, right away sir, at once sir," the two half-witted Mobians said as they scrambled to obey their oft capricious benefactor, leaving only after they managed to slam into each other. As he watched their departing figures, Robtonik cast a glance to the heavens as he heaved a long suffering sigh.
"I do so look forward to finally being rid of those two once the Sonic Underground is no more," he said, a statement that caused Naugus to chuckle.
The explosive sound of the gate falling was heard all throughout the city of Shadakor, even in the lower levels of the Tower of the Archmage where a certain green hedgehog had been staring into the blackness of the stone he held in his hands. The internal struggle of whether or not to access the Memory stone he'd stolen from Merlin Prower's room was halted as a scared Manic quickly hid the stone in his fist, afraid the rightful owner had returned to finish the job he'd started. When no sorcerous attack came, Manic's body visibly relaxed, until he began to question why there had been an explosion. Hobbling on his still damaged leg, the young drummer moved over to the sole window of the room he now occupied, just in time to watch Sonic and Sonia racing off in a huge hurry.
"What's going on?" he asked of no one in particular. Hedgehog eyes strained in the direction his siblings were headed in, that of the refugee's tent city. These same eyes widened as he saw black smoke begin to rise from that part of the city, as well as shapes hanging in the air that were too big to be birds. Having spent years having to perceive and evade Robotnik's forces, Manic had become adept at identifying the maniacal overlord's forces by their silhouettes, and what he saw were most definitely members of Robotnik's aerial armada. "The city's being attacked!!"
Twisting around, albeit painfully, Manic walked over to where his vest and fanny pack lay, as well as the crystal medallion that transformed into his drum-kit. Wincing as his bruised muscles moved to accommodate the vest; the green hedgehog soon heard a yelp of pain escape his lips as his back protested the pressure of the pack around his waist. Not to be deterred, Manic bent over to get his shoes, or rather he tried, only to be stopped as his ligaments steadfastly refused to stretch that far. Huffing in frustration, the former thief fell backwards onto his butt, grunting in pains as he did so. Though he didn't feel good, from this position it was easier to get at his errant footwear. Even as he managed to slide a foot into a shoe, the sounds of more explosions, closer this time, came to his angular ears. As if to draw attention to the increasing desperation of the situation outside, Manic's agile fingers, covered in bandages that made them far less nimble, were unable to successfully lace up his shoes. Quitting in frustration, Manic began to try to get up, fully intending to go and help his siblings in their obvious mission to save the city, but even this task proved difficult.
Crawling along the ground, Manic received support from the bed as he pulled himself to his feet. For the briefest of moments he wondered why he was trying so hard. His track record of late was less than spectacular and, in his condition, he stood a very good chance of being more of a hindrance than a help to his two siblings.
As quickly as such thoughts appeared, he banished them from his mind. How often had Sonia AND Sonic come to his aid when he'd needed it, regardless of the difficulty or danger to themselves? They were family, and that meant that they had to be there for each other. Grabbing on of the staves present in the room, no doubt left behind by some absent-minded apprentice, Manic used it as a makeshift crutch and made his way to the door. The hallways were chaotic as Mobians of all types ran down them, though thankfully they all seemed to be running in the same direction.
"What's happening?" Manic asked of a beagle as she passed him, though he had a pretty good idea what was going on.
"Robotnik is invading," the woman said. "He broke through the main gate at the head of the city and the Archmage has called for an evacuation towards the Tower."
"What about those outside?" Manic asked.
"The other guards are trying to defend them while they withdraw, and I think your brother and sister went to help," said a guard as he worked to keep people from getting trampled in the chaos. As quickly as he could, which was not so very much, the green hedgehog began to make his way towards the ground levels. In his present condition, there was no way he could make it to the fight in time to help his band-mates, especially if he had to find a place to activate his medallion. And though his hovering boogey board was fast, he'd never be able to stay on it now.
&But maybe there's another way.&
"HELP!" a doe-like female screamed as she tried desperately to avoid a SWATbot's laser fire, her efforts hampered by the small, crying child she held in her arms. Before long she found herself stumbling over a stone, a piece of rubble left by the blasting of a building by the same SWATbot.
"Halt citizen, you are under arrest," the robot commanded in the monotone voice that was used by all Robotnik's devilish foot soldiers. Before the machine could fire, a blue blur suddenly slammed into the automaton's chest, burrowing deep into its body and exploding out the other side, effectively shutting down the threatening abomination.
"Run," Sonic commanded, wasting no time on one of his usual quips as he jumped to avoid another SWATbot's attack. This robot was in turn taken out by a blast of pink energy from Sonia's keyboard, but there were far more where he'd come from.
"Sonic there's too many of them, we can't just keep putting out fires," Sonia told her brother as she blasted hover unit, causing the ship to break off its attack on a fleeing group.
"Right sis, we have to cut this invasion off at its source; Robotnik."
"If you want to see the Doctor, we'd be happy to take you to him," Sleet said as he approached on a hover bike, followed closely by his partner Dingo. "I'm sure Robotnik would be most willing to see you." Taking aim with the laser rifle he'd brought with me, the wolfish Mobian took aim at the fastest of the duo and tried to stun Sonic before he could get away. Still not at one hundred percent thanks to his injuries, the blue hedgehog still proved much faster than Sleet, avoiding the blast as Dingo moved around to try to capture Sonia.
"Come on Sonia, this ain't the place you wanna be," Dingo advised as he leapt from his own vehicle at the girl. "You'd be much safer with Robotnik."
"Yeah, I bet," Sonia responded sarcastically as she rolled out of the way of the orange bounty hunter. "Cause he's just a total ball to be with." The pink hedgehog grabbed Dingo's hand and, using a combination of her impressive strength and martial skill, flipped the much larger Mobian over her shoulder.
"Look guys, we don't have time to play with you today," Sonia said as he began to race around Sleet, kicking up clouds of sand and dust as he did so. "But I do wanna know how you managed to get inside the city."
"Didn't Naugus tell you?" Sleet asked, covering his mouth and nose to avoid the sand. "We had help from that little mutant who brought you here."
"Tails?" Sonic asked. "Where is he? You better not have hurt him!" Sleet chuckled at the hedgehog's upset tone of voice.
"He's with Robotnik and Naugus over by the Command Crawler, not that you'll be able to save him. SWATbots blast that hedgehog!" So focused had Sonic been on getting information that he'd failed to notice the trio of SWATbots taking aim at him. Red colored lasers were shot at him and Sonic only barely had enough time to perform a back flip to avoid being fried. Though he was successful, the landing proved too much for his injured leg to effectively handle, and the high-speed hedgehog found himself forced to take a knee. "Oh, are you not feeling alright?" Sleet asked with glee, ever eager to take advantage of an injured opponent. "Naugus did say you three were a bit under the weather. I guess that's why young Manic isn't here. Guess what, that makes the two of you… expendable." Pointing at Sonic, Sleet issued another command to his SWATbot minions. "Mow them down."
"Not gonna happen," Sonic defiantly said as he touched the medallion at his neck. In seconds the crystal jewelry transformed into the hedgehog's signature guitar. Not bothering to aim, Sonic instead struck a long chord, sending out a beam of constant energy that he used to slice all three SWATbots in half before they could fire. Nearby Sonia was able to disable Dingo, knocking the hulking giant's senses, and some of his teeth, loose as she did so.
"Okay Sleet, start talking," Sonia commanded as she pointed her own instrument at the wolf. "Where'd Robotnik park his land crawler?"
"Where do you think hedgehog?" Sleet asked pointing back in the direction more SWATbots were coming as howls of fear and pain echoed through the city. Again Sonic found himself having to move quickly as the new SWATbots took aim at him and his sister, much to Sleet's great amusement. "Give up hedgehog, even if you can destroy a thousand robots, there're still more. Even you're body will have to give out at some point." Once more the SWATbots exploded, this time as Sonia blasted them with her keyboard. As if to drive home Sleet's point however, even more appeared, all ready to fire upon the two royals.
"He's right Sonic," Sonia said as she got to her brother's side. "No matter how many we take down, more take their place. At this rate they'll just wear us down."
"'t's like you said, sis, we gotta go kick the butt in charge of all these tinker toys," Sonic responded as he blasted more SWATbots. Sonia tapped her blue brother on the shoulder.
"Uh, that may be a bit more difficult that we thought," she said, pointing. All around them were SWATbots, hundreds of them, and each one armed with weapons and prepared to attack. Even as the two hedgehogs aimed their instruments, they knew there was no way they could get out of this. Even Sonic's fantastic speed was not sufficient to allow Sonia and him to evade so much concentrated laser fire.
"Ha ha ha, isn't this wonderful. It's just like I've always dream… what is that noise?" Sleet asked as his ears twitched. Indeed a sound could be heard under the din of battle, a low pitched whirring sound that was suspiciously familiar… and steadily getting louder.
"YAHOO!!" Manic screamed as the Sonic Underground Tour bus, guided by his own hands, slammed into the first group of SWATbots. Though created as a mobile home for the band, Manic and Cyrus had spent days customizing the vehicle, fully aware of just what conditions it might be expected to function under. They'd upgraded and outfitted the van with every defensive and offensive trick they could think of, including a reinforced frame and shell. Robotic body parts went flying as Manic began to decimate the SWATbot legions, which obligingly remained in one place as he did so. "Dudes, why don't I get to drive more often?! This is beyond cool." the green hedgehog screamed.
For their part, the SWATbots did attempt to defend themselves, firing their lasers upon the injured drummer as he barreled down on them. It might have been wiser to aim at the more vulnerable wheels of the bus, but the SWATbots, slaves to programming that clearly gave priority to the hedgehog occupant over the armored vehicle itself. Not really meant for opponents bearing defenses harder than cloth, the SWATlasers bounced harmlessly off of the van's surface. Though Sleet possessed the authority necessary to issue the command to get his mechanical minions to follow this path of action, before this little fact could make its way to the forefront of his slippery brain, a far more critical bit of information won out; the fact that the Sonic Underground's tour bus was headed… right… for… HIM.
"AH!" the wolf screamed as he leapt up in his seat and dove away from the hover bike just as Manic smashed into it. The heavier weight of the Robotnik styled vehicle proved enough to trip up the young hedgehog's joy ride, though, causing the bus spin wildly out of control for a few yard before coming to a stop. Quickly Sonic and Sonia rushed forward to check on their brother.
"Woah, hey guys, didn't think you'd get to party without me, did ya?" Manic said with a smile from the driver's seat.
"Never little bro," Sonic answered as he shot the green one a thumbs up. "Now move over, I'm driving."
"But I wanna drive," Manic whined.
"And we wanna live; move over," Sonia interjected as she hefted her brother gently into the passenger's seat, mindful of his still healing injuries. "How did you find us?"
"It wasn't easy, this was like the third place I drove to," the green hedgehog admitted. "Guys Robotnik's makin' moves on this whole city, we gotta stop him."
"We know, he's also got Tails," Sonic said as he threw the van into first gear and pushed it forward.
"What? How'd he get the little guy?"
"Naugus was a traitor, he's been setting us up since we got here so Robotnik could destroy the city and he could get the Archmage's treasure."
"Waaay uncool," was Manic's response as the trio took off in pursuit of the rapidly retreating Sleet and Dingo.
Positive glee filled Robotnik's black heart as he gazed out over his captives, their hands bound and their heads cowed, thanks in no small part to the SWATbots that guarded them. Most had been easy to take; giving up without a fight though that was not surprising. If what Naugus said was true, these pathetic miscreants had already witnessed the evil Doctor's might first hand, they had merely been fortunate enough to escape immediate capture. A look of blank terror sat in each of their eyes that tasted as sweet and pure as mother's milk to the dark-hearted human.
Others had not been so quick to surrender, actually daring to fight the SWATbot legions, either attempting to escape or hoping to buy time for loved ones to do so. No few Mobians in the crowd of captives sported large bruises, bleeding cuts, and broken limbs thanks to such efforts. Robotnik took note of one such subject, a collie from the look of him, whose long fur was covered in drying blood as he lay amongst his fellows, someone trying to clean his wounds. Robotnik's vast reservoir of medical knowledge told him that this creature was not long for this world. How ironic that roboticization was most likely this hapless fellow's only chance for survival.
&Perhaps I'll issue him a reprieve from the roboticizer,& Robotnik thought maliciously.
"You'll never get away with this Robotnik," Tails yelled from where he still dangled, helpless to do anything to protect those wretched souls now held captive.
"Why does everyone always say that, especially when I so often do?" Robotnik mocked the fox kit. "I really must thank you, young Prower, if you hadn't been so foolish to bring the Sonic Underground here, I might never have found Shadakor. I owe you a great debt. When you're roboticized, I promise I'll assign you to some easy task that wont' wear out your parts so quickly, in gratitude." The ovoid doctor chuckled at his own lame joke.
"Don't be so quick to plan things out, wheeze Robotnik," Naugus said in a warning voice. "I still need young Prower to take possession of the Keystone."
"Like I'd ever help a traitor like you!" Tails retorted.
"You will have as much choice wheeze as you did when you helped to bring down the barrier, wheeze" Naugus responded.
"Yes, yes, after Shadakor is leveled, my SWATbots will help you lead the young fox to your precious stone, don't worry, but do allow me some fun," Robotnik cajoled, in too good a mood to allow Naugus's flippant attitude to anger him.
"You're sick," Tails accused the human, small trickles of frustrated tears escaping his eyes. "Only a complete psycho would take pleasure in destroying our city." Robotnik noticed the leaking orbs and smiled his most "charming" smile.
"First he helps me, and then he flatters me," the ovoid dictator said, winking at his two-tailed captive. "Are you sure you're not bucking for a command position in my army." Tails gritted his teeth and closed his eyes at this, angry beyond words. There was nothing he could do to stop Robotnik from destroying his home, and the evil man knew it. Suddenly, the sounds of explosions reached the trio's ears and Tails's bleary cerulean eyes opened again. Out of the streets of the city Sleet came, riding on an orange motorcycle that was clearly made from his partner Dingo.
"Is that stupid wolf wheeze riding his partner?" Naugus asked, somewhat bewildered at the unusual sight. Robotnik shook his head disbelief.
"I have long since ceased trying to understand their relationship. I am more concerned with WHY my 'elite' bounty hunters are fleeing what should be my moment of triumph." As if the universe itself had heard Robotnik's query, the reason for Sleet and Dingo's hasty escape from the rapidly crumbling city became clear as the Sonic Underground tour bus came roaring through the Doctor's temporary encampment. With all three of its owners present, the bus was in its full battle configuration, with Manic controlling the roof's gun turret while Sonic drove and Sonia took aim with her keyboard laser. Once more the pitiful lasers of the SWATbots proved ineffective against the armor of the van, and they were easy prey for the marauding hedgehogs.
"You told me Sonic and Sonia were dealt with," Robotnik sneered at Naugus, torn between wanting to rub the failure of the sorcerer's "great" magic in his face and aggravation that he STILL had three sharp hedgehog spines lodged in his side. The wicked sorcerer favored his partner with an angry stare, clearly wishing to give some biting retort. However, he knew that if the pink and blue hedgehogs had survived, so had the Archmage and it was no mystery why the old fox had not come with them. No, if he was going to succeed in claiming his prize, Naugus would need to keep Robotnik as an ally… for now.
"Sonic! Sonia! Manic!" Tails called out happily glad his new friends and heroes weren't dead as Naugus had claimed.
"Hang on kid, we'll be right with you," Sonic yelled into the microphone that attached to the loudspeakers at the top of their van.
"No… No not this time hedgehogs. I will not allow you to make sport of me this time," Robotnik growled as he moved swiftly over to the console of his Sand Crawler. "Try this on for size, hedgehogs," he said with a sneer as he aimed his own cannons at the speedy bus. Though the SWATbots' lasers were low-powered, Robotnik's conveyance had been granted weaponry befitting he who was master of the world, and two shots from the massive forward cannon proved more than capable of damaging the tour bus.
"Time to bail guys," Sonic said as he grabbed his sister and brother, racing to the back of the van to leap out just as the armored car crashed into a section of the city wall that still stood. All three hedgehogs obeyed their instincts and tucked into balls, rolling for several feet before coming to a halt.
"Well hedgehogs, fancy meeting you here," Robotnik intoned as his minions moved in to surround the Sonic Underground. Quickly the three royals placed their back to each other, unwilling to allow one robot to get a lucky shot where they couldn't see.
"What can we say, 'Buttnik, it's a small world," Sonic quipped.
"Compared to him, everyone's small," Manic chuckled.
"Bet the planet'll be tons lighter once he's gone too," was Sonia's dig.
"I wouldn't be joking were I in your position, hedgehogs. Surrounded, outnumbered more than a hundred to one, and injured to boot. No, I would be trying to get on my good side were I you, if such a creature existed."
"Ha, we've kicked you big butt before, we'll do it again," Manic called
"Look around you Rodent. My army is destroying this city, I've taken its populace for my slaves, and I've defeated their defender. I've all but won. Mobotropolis fell before my might, and so too shall Shadakor, and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
"There's a big difference between then and now, Doc," Sonic called defiantly as he touched his medallion, an action mimicked by Manic. Sonia touched the keys of her keyboard and, all at once, the three items transformed into their proper instrument forms. "Actually, there's three differences."
From on top of his Sand Crawler, Robotnik grew nervous. Though separately the mystic instruments the hated Oracle of Delphius had given Aleena's brats were formidable weapons, together, working in concert, their powers were only magnified, as Robotnik well knew. Though the tactician in him was still confident he had more than enough forces arrayed against his enemies to overwhelm them, the coward in him was not too keen on being at ground zero when whatever song his musical enemies planned to use to activate their powers was played. So caught up in trying to find an equitable solution for these two at odds factions of his personality was Robotnik that he did not notice the snickering and giggling coming from Naugus until the sorcerer had approached.
"Ah, wheeze the amulets. I see Delphius was good to his word wheeze and presented them to you as he promised." The hedgehogs cast nasty looks at the treacherous wizard as he smiled down upon them. "Were it my decision to make, wheeze I would not have been so generous. wheeze Still, under the circumstances…" To the surprise of everyone present, Naugus placed his right hand upon the railing of the Sand Crawler and vaulted over it, casting himself overboard to land with a thud on the sandy ground below. Slowly he rose again, his cape enfolded around his body like a shroud, leaving only his ugly head visible as he did so. Sonic stared at the wizard.
"What's your game Naugus?"
"Chess, actually," the wizard answered, "wheeze not that a neophyte such as yourself wheeze could appreciate the subtle nuances of such a game. wheeze But I don't believe that is the answer wheeze you desired. I'm here to protect my wheeze interests."
"Fine, we were going to take down Buttnik first, but if you want the front row seat…"
"Oh I do, I do."
"Fine," Sonic looked back to his siblings, who nodded their understanding. They would focus their first song on Naugus and the SWATbots, and then turn their attentions to Robotnik. All the while, Naugus simply smiled patiently at them. "You want a front row seat to the butt-kicking; the Sonic Underground aims to please." Snapping his fingers to show the beat, Sonic continued, "One Two…"
"Three," the mish-mash Mobian completed for the hedgehog as he raised his hands and pointed them at the band.
"Sonic quick, you guys gotta turn your instruments back into medallions!" Tails yelled from his vantage point. Dark energy swirled around Naugus's hands even as the fox spoke, snaking its way towards the Sonic Underground before they could act on Tails's strange advice. Even as they struck their first notes, the inky black energy began a backlash of their own power back into the hedgehogs' bodies… and their instruments as well. All three began to scream as the attack they'd planned to unleash upon Naugus was effectively sent back through their unprepared forms. But, devastating as this effect was to the Sonic Underground, this had merely been a side-effect of the attack.
Dark energy coursed through the mystic guitar, keyboard, and drums, causing them to begin to shake violently, even uncontrollable. As their three hedgehog masters were torn away from them, all three instruments began to rise into the air, the now obvious target of Naugus's magical spell. The Sonic Underground could only watch in stunned, horrified silence as the instrumental weapons they'd wielded for so long, relied on for so much, were each in turn destroyed by the black magic.
"Foolish children… wheeze It was in Shadakor that your medallions were forged. Who over us would know the way to destroy them," Naugus smugly said as bits and pieces of the once mighty symbols of the resistance fell back to Mobius.
"Most excellent work," Robotnik congratulated the sorcerer as his bravado returned. Deprived of their favored tools, the Sonic Underground was no longer a threat to his army. "Now then, Freedom Fighters, it seems we are once more back where we started."
"Don't bet on it Doctor, we've beaten you before without our instruments," Sonia retorted.
"Not this time, this time I have you… but, as Naugus pointed out to me earlier, I only actually need one of you. That makes the other two," two meaty fingers pointed at Sonia and Manic, "expendable." At their master's command, each of the SWATbots powered up their lasers to fire.
"WAIT!" Ixis Naugus commanded. "Think on this rationally. wheeze One maybe all that you need, wheeze but time and again they have proven too resourceful to keep captive. wheeze Better I think to use the threat of death for two to keep the remainder in line." Robotnik paused as he considered his partner's words.
"Not a bad idea," he said. "And this way, I get three shots at Aleena over just one."
"Not gonna happen," Sonic defiantly said as his body began to flicker. His eternal nemesis shook his head.
"Uh-uh, Sonic, so much as a tip-toe out of place, and your brother and sister will have more holes in them than Swiss cheese," the conqueror pointed out, then he turned his attention to the pink hedgehog. "And just in case you planned to use your enhanced strength my dear, the same goes for your darling brothers." Sonia glanced at the two mentioned hedgehogs. Sonic could escape the attack no problem, but Manic, in his current condition, wouldn't be so lucky. And of course Robotnik would just use the threat of her death to cage Sonic. They were trapped, a fact that filled the evil doctor with absolute glee as he smiled a huge smile that showed off all his teeth, his whole form positively giddy. "Finally. I've done it. I've defeated the Sonic Underground. I've beaten the Resistance! I'VE WON!!"
"Only for now Buttnik," Sonic called.
"Yeah, we may go down…" Sonia said.
"…but the Freedom Fighters will always keep fightin'," Manic concluded.
"Don't you get it you little twits," Robotnik called. "Without you, that wretched prophecy cannot be fulfilled. It doesn't matter how many annoying balls of fur and flesh are sent against me, all I need do now is claim Queen Aleena as my bride, and nothing can fell my empire. I HAVE WON!!"
"NO!!" Tails cried, his bound body shaking. "I won't let this happen."
"What?" came the quizzical response of the two villains?
"You won't get away with this. You won't destroy Shadakor, you won't defeat the Sonic Underground, you won't hurt my friends," the fox commanded through clenched teeth as a light blue glow came to his eyes.
"You're trying to cast wheeze as spell?" Naugus asked haughtily, clearly unimpressed by the kit's attempt at intimidation. "You actually think you can wheeze cast a spell without words or form? wheeze A spell crafted of your mind alone, heh heh? wheeze Wake up boy, you're less than useless, an insignificant child trying to play with grown-ups. wheeze Learn your place."
"My place is in the Tower of the Archmage, as my grandfather's heir," Tails called back as crystal tears cascaded down his cheeks, his teeth still clenched as he worked to draw forth the innate power of his bloodline, searching for some way to help. "I was trained by the greatest wizard to ever live, and I am not USELESS!" The desert winds suddenly picked up as sand and rock began to whirl around the Sand Crawler, forcing Naugus and Robotnik to shield their eyes as Tails screamed, "CLOCKWERK!!"
& & & &
Up at the top of the Tower of the Archmage, Tails's room had survived the explosion intact, though some of the more loosely lain items had fallen over. As the Tower shook again from the furious assault of the wind, the eyes of the near completed Clockwerk robot Tails had so casually tossed aside earlier lit up as the green gem inside it came back to life. Green energy arched out from the machine, catching hold of the necessary parts needed to complete its construction, assembling itself in mere seconds as its owner called out to it. Quickly the piglet-like robot hopped and sprung over to the windowsill of the room, its glassy eyes casting about as it looked down into the city.
That there was trouble going on was a given, though the machine seemed to almost shudder as it saw the marauding forces of Robotnik as they tore apart the city and apprehended citizens. What got its attention most, however, was the site of the city's ruined gate, the location where it was sure it was being called. With a bounce and spring, the mechanical creature turned its back, facing inside the room/workshop as it did so. All around the room were copies of itself, Clockwerk versions that had been only partially constructed for the purpose of testing, but each one still working. Present too were more shards of the large green jewel that sat on the desk, cut off in preparation for when Tails had perfected his craft with Clockwerk.
"Tick-tock-bing, tick-tock-bong, clank-shuffle-clank, BING-BONG!!" To anyone who heard these odd noises coming from Clockwerk, it might have sounded as though the little machine had suffered some fatal error in its voice processor. As each of the crystal shards began to glow in turn, rising slowly into the air, it became very apparent that what had been said was a battle cry. More arches of green energy came forth from each of the shards as each claimed its own mechanical body and finished its construction, using the ample spare parts Tails kept in his room to complete themselves. Within moments, what had started out as a single machine had become a swarm of three dozen strong, each one staring at the singular Clockwerk that was acting as their leader. Even the remainder of the mother crystal seemed to pulse with anticipation, though no metal shell was drawn forth to encase it. From out of the original Clockwerk's back a propeller unfolded and began to spin as the sound of a bugle suddenly blared from its voice box. "Do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do!"
"BING-BONG!!" came the resounding cry of the mechanical robots as more propellers arose and began spinning.
& & & &
Meanwhile, back at the scene of the battle, the winds created by Tails's outburst died down, much to the relief of Dr. Robotnik, Ixis Naugus, Sleet, and Dingo. Though all four were prepared for an attack whichever of the four elements the fox kit might have proven able to summon, as the seconds ticked past with no immediate threat of danger, each one began to relax.
"A fizzle, wheeze just like you," Naugus commented, sneering derisively at the bound apprentice. Though he greatly disliked Merlin Prower, Naugus had always held the fox sorcerer in the highest regard when it came to magical ability. That this child had had the opportunity to study at the feet of such a master and apparently learned nothing beyond the basics was an insult to all sorcerers everywhere, and Ixis Naugus did not suffer insults lightly. Robotnik, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed such a useless display of rage, as evidenced by the nasty smile on his face.
"What exactly were you trying to do, muss my hair?" he asked as he stroked his bald scalp. "Perhaps once Naugus is done with you, I'll keep you as a pet for entertain… What is that noise?" The enhanced audio sensors the evil doctor had used to replace his ears so long ago were picking up on a rather disturbing sound, a sound that put Robotnik in mind of a helicopter, though such machines were rare now days. Hoverunits were far more efficient modes of transportation, and much less risky to fly, so they had largely replaced the maneuverable crafts. Ever a student of all things mechanical, however, Robotnik knew the sound when he heard it. Turning slightly, the evil dictator got just enough warning to duck as a small beige thing suddenly zoomed through the space his pointy head had occupied, a bugle sounding as it did so.
"Do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do do-do!!"
"Clockwerk!" Tails yelled happily as he spotted the little machine.
"Woah, it's the kid's bot," Sonic said, recognizing the machine from earlier. "I thought Merlin destroyed it."
"He must have summoned it back to him with that spell," Sonia realized. "That's what he was calling to."
"A robot?" Robotnik asked incredulously. Never before had anyone attempted to fight him using a mechanical minion of their own, and in truth the rotund doctor had long considered himself as having proprietary rights to such a tactic. That this fox had apparently disregarded this fact made him feel somewhat… violated. Rising again to his feet, Robotnik's crimson optics focused in on his attacker, ready to take the measure of his opponent's skill. As Clockwerk hovered in what appeared to be an angry fashion above his head, the tyrannical madman released a loud and rumbling laugh. "THIS is your ROBOT?" Massive jaws moved up and down as a huge belly shook like a bowlful of jelly with laughter. "This… tinkertoy is the ace you've called to stop me? I do believe one of these things was in box of cereal I had as child, ha ha ha ha… ACK!!" So suddenly had the attack come, Robotnik had not been able to block it. As he had laughed, his mouth opened wide and his eyes closed in an uncontrollable fit of mirth, Clockwerk's porcine mouth had opened, and a familiar tube had suddenly slide outward. Without warning the machine fired, sending a black ball sailing with pinpoint accuracy into the doctor's cavernous orifice and down his mouth where in the projectile had released it payload of greasy smoke. This explained why Robotnik had doubled over to the ground, clutching his throat as black smoke began billowing out from his mouth.
"Ha, so much for 'tinkertoy' huh Ro-BUTT-nik," Tails yelled happily, pleased his creation had gotten such an excellent opening shot on his enemies.
"You worm," Robotnik growled in response. "SWATbots, eliminate that… toy?" More buzzing came to the assaulted human's audio sensors, and the doctor was not pleased to see the air above his head was now filled with even more of the little machines, all hovering in place like a swarm of angry bees whose nest had been violated by a careless child. Sleet and Dingo immediately began to shrink away, unsure of just what nasty surprises these machines had in store for them. As the four villains, and even three hedgehogs, stood in stunned silence at the armada the young fox had managed to summon, the original Clockwerk had abandoned its victim, flying up towards where its master still hung. Extending a blade from its side, Clockwerk quickly cut through the ropes that bound Tails, dropping the little fox to the deck of the Sand Crawler. Quickly Tails moved into one of the stances his Uncle had shown him.
"Gigani gan!" he shouted as energy built up around his body as a remnant of wind caught his vest and caused it to billow about his chest. Spears of rock shot forth from the ground, crashing into the SWATbots whose lasers had remained trained on Sonic, Sonia, and Manic.
"I have ceased being amused," Robotnik announced as he turned back towards the fox and raised one of his metallic arms high into the air. "SWATbots, EXTERMINATE!!"
Spell translations:
Aeroni (A-ron-ee) Air
Gigani (Ji-gan-ee) Rock
Ferani (Fe-ran-ee) Fire
Aquaris (aK-war-iss) Water
Raitani (rI-Tan-ee) Lightning
Luimanis (Loo-man-eez) Light
Umborian (OOm-bOr-ean) Dark
Race (Ra-chee) Movement
Gan (Gan) Attack
Roan (Ro-wen) Arise
Beran (Bee-ran) Defend.
Pickaye (Pik-I) Explode
Rindantay (Rin-dan-tA) Purify
To be Continued….
